The top 5 Premier League January transfers of all-time

Who makes the Coral top-five?

The January transfer window is a time for clubs to consolidate and build on what they already have.

Some clubs opt to bolster the defence, while others renew their options in attack.

There have been plenty of new arrivals in the Premier League during the month of January over the last 25 years.

Here are five that the Coral News Team think stand out above the rest…

Mikel Arteta – Real Sociedad to Everton (2005)

For the sheer longevity of Mikel Arteta’s Everton career, he has to be considered as one of the best-ever January signings. The Spaniard initially joined on loan from Real Sociedad in January 2005. His addition helped the Toffees achieve the extraordinary feat of qualifying for the Champions League.

The ex-Barcelona protégée would spend another six years at Goodison Park, making 174 Premier League appearances and scoring 28 goals. He was one of the first names on David Moyes’ team sheet in that time. Signed for £3m, he would move to Arsenal in 2011 for £10m.

Nemanja Vidic – Spartak Moscow to Man United (2006)

Nemanja Vidic spent eight glorious seasons at Manchester United. But he almost didn’t join at all. Sir Alex Ferguson hijacked Fiorentina’s bid for the Serbian with a £7m offer, which was accepted by Spartak Moscow. The defender joined in January 2006 and made an instant impact at Old Trafford.

His partnership with Rio Ferdinand at the heart of United’s defence was one of the defining features of the Red Devils’ dominance during that time. He would go on to win five Premier League titles, three League Cups and one Champions League with the Reds.

Luis Suarez – Ajax to Liverpool (2011)

Eyebrows were raised when Liverpool signed Luis Suarez for £22.8m in the winter of 2011. The Uruguayan had courted controversy two months previous for biting PSV Eindhoven star Otman Bakkal and received a seven-match ban.

After a slow start in his first couple of seasons at Anfield, Suarez began to fire on all cylinders during the 2012-13 season. He bagged 30 goals in all competitions as Liverpool finished seventh.

The following campaign would see the Reds challenge for the title, with Suarez forming a deadly partnership with Daniel Sturridge. He finished the season with 31 goals from 33 matches, making him only the seventh-ever player to break the 30-goal barrier in a single Premier League season.

Nemanja Matic – Benfica to Chelsea (2014)

Nemanja Matic returned to Chelsea after three years away from Stamford Bridge in 2014. His acquisition proved the key signing as the Blues geared up for a title challenge the following season.

Sure enough, the £21m man was one of the main cogs in the Chelsea machine as Jose Mourinho’s side breezed towards their first top-flight title since 2010.

Gabriel Jesus – Palmeiras to Man City (2017)

Despite only joining Manchester City a year ago, Gabriel Jesus has already made a significant impact at the Etihad Stadium. The 20-year-old has adapted to life in the Premier League in spectacular fashion and has bagged 15 goals in just 28 league games for the Sky Blues.

If the Brazilian can stay injury-free, he has the potential to lead the line for City over the next decade and beyond.